Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann are set to lead a roadshow in Bathinda on Thursday evening, a day after the party secured the Mayor’s post in the city for a second consecutive term. The event is intended as a demonstration of the party’s strength following its notable performance in the recent local body elections.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the roadshow, scheduled to commence around 6 p.m., will traverse key routes in Bathinda. The rally is being organised by AAP leadership to celebrate the party’s consolidation of power in the Bathinda Municipal Corporation. Bathinda, traditionally considered a stronghold of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), saw the AAP’s candidate for Mayor re-elected, underscoring a shift in the local political landscape.
In the Bathinda Municipal Corporation, the Aam Aadmi Party has established a clear majority with 35 councillors. The Congress party secured five councillors, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has three, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holds one seat, and six councillors were elected as Independents. This distribution of seats provides the AAP with a significant mandate within the corporation.
Padamjeet Singh Mehta, son of Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president Amarjit Singh Mehta, was re-elected as Mayor on Thursday. Mehta had previously served as the lone AAP councillor during his last term, a period during which he managed to win the mayoral election by securing the oath as a councillor just minutes before the election process. The elections for the posts of Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor within the corporation were deferred.
The AAP leadership views the upcoming roadshow as a strategic move to galvanise party workers and supporters in Bathinda, which is considered the political heartland of South Malwa. During the event, both Mr. Kejriwal and Mr. Mann are expected to engage with party cadres, address attendees, and highlight the developmental agenda and governance achievements of the Punjab state government. Emphasis is likely to be placed on local development projects initiated by the current administration.
Security arrangements have been significantly enhanced across critical routes in Bathinda in anticipation of the high-profile visit. Authorities are expecting a substantial turnout for the roadshow, which is slated to conclude at Sadbhawana Chowk. Mayor Padamjeet Singh Mehta has also indicated plans to install a clock tower in the vicinity of Sadbhawana Chowk in the coming days, a project that may be discussed during the public engagement.
The political significance of Bathinda cannot be understated, as it is the constituency represented by Harsimrat Kaur Badal, a prominent leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal and a fourth-term Member of Parliament. The AAP’s success in securing the Mayor’s office and their subsequent celebratory roadshow led by top national and state leaders signify a direct challenge to the traditional political dominance in the region and are seen as a precursor to future electoral contests.
The presence of Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann is aimed at reinforcing the party’s presence and projecting an image of strong leadership in the Malwa region. The event is expected to set a tone for further political outreach and public engagement by the ruling party in Punjab, reinforcing their commitment to governance and development initiatives across the state. The organizational effort behind the roadshow reflects the AAP’s focus on consolidating its electoral gains and expanding its political footprint.
The Chenab Times News Desk